Vegas Vows, Texas Nights

by Charlene Sands

  Shelly gave her head a tilt. “You really think so?”

  “I absolutely do. You have a lot to offer someone. You should be open to that.”

  “Well, it’s not as if anyone’s busting down the door to get to me.”

  “How about you taking a chance. Walk out the door and find what you’re looking for.”

  “I’m...scared.”

  Katie winced. It was hard seeing her big sister admit that. She took Shelly’s hands in hers and squeezed. “Shel, you’re strong enough to deal with anything that comes your way. You’re a fantastic person, a wonderful nurse. You make people feel better, you care. People look up to you, they value your judgment. Never doubt that. I think that you’ll find what you’re looking for if you give yourself a chance.”

  Shelly drew a breath. “Maybe.” She nodded. “I’ll try. And thanks, sis. You’re the best.”

  The conversation made Katie ache inside for the pain her sister had gone through. Hearing her admit that she’d been crazy about Luke was like a dagger to her heart.

  Because Katie was starting to have real feelings for Luke.

  And they were getting stronger every day.

  * * *

  Saturday morning, Katie rose extra early to get a head start on baking so she’d have enough time to put the finishing touches on the bridal shower cake. Though cakes weren’t her specialty, she knew enough about them to design a one-of-a-kind cake for Drea and Mason that resembled the home they were building on Rising Springs land. It took a great deal of thought, but the cake when finished would be spectacular.

  Halfway through the decorating, fatigue set in, and she took a seat to rest. She’d been stressed out lately, and for good reason, but she’d never felt so tired before. Her mother told her she was taking on too much, that she needed extra help running the bakery, but Katie didn’t think that was it.

  “You look as green as this pistachio icing,” Lori said, picking up a freshly frosted tray of cupcakes. “Are you feeling poorly?”

  “I think I’m just tired. I worked hard on the cake last night and didn’t get much sleep. I probably should’ve closed the shop today, so I could concentrate on Drea’s shower.”

  “Why don’t you go up to your apartment and get some rest? I’ll finish up with the cupcakes, so you can be fresh for the bridal shower.”

  Normally, Katie wouldn’t think of it, but her tummy was aching, the same queasy feeling she’d been having for days now. “I’ll go up for an hour if you don’t mind.”

  “Go, I’ve got things covered here.”

  “I have no doubt. You could run this bakery with your eyes closed. I’ll be back soon.”

  “Take your time,” Lori said.

  “Thanks.” Katie climbed the stairs to her apartment and once inside, her stomach cramped tight and she couldn’t fight the nausea. “Oh no.” Her hand on her belly, she dashed to the bathroom and made it just in time. When she was through, she sat down on the tile floor next to the toilet until her tummy settled down.

  Where had that come from? She thought back to what she’d eaten these past few days but nothing struck her as odd. Could it be stress and fatigue causing such a disruption to her health?

  She rose and took a shower, then tucked herself into bed. She’d rest for just a few minutes and then get up to put the finishing touches on the cake.

  The sound of birds tweeting broke into her sleep. Katie opened her eyes and listened again. Those weren’t real birds, it was her cell phone chirping. She grabbed it off the nightstand. Her eyes widened when she saw the time and she jolted out of bed, panicked. It was nine o’clock! She was supposed to be at the ranch in half an hour. The shower was starting at noon.

  The text read, Drea’s sending me to pick you up. Stay put.

  It was from Luke.

  Oh God. She was late. She took a few minutes to dress and comb her hair and then raced downstairs. “Lori, I’m so sorry,” she called out. She didn’t have time to deal with Luke coming to get her. Actually, with the way she was feeling, she really could use his help.

  “Hey, no problem,” Lori said, coming into the work area. “It’s slow right now, but I was beginning to worry. Are you feeling better?”

  Gosh, she didn’t have time to feel bad. She had to finish the cake and get to Rising Springs. “Yes, I’m better. The rest did me a world of good but I’ve got to finish the cake. Should only take a few minutes.”

  Katie pulled the cake out of the fridge and spent the next twenty minutes piping the perimeter and adding the names. When all was said and done, the two-tiered cake looked like a picture of serenity and love.

  “There,” she said, with a heavy dose of pride and relief.

  “It’s beautiful.” Luke had sneaked up beside her. She hadn’t heard him enter but she appreciated the compliment.

  “Thanks.”

  “A lot of work?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “But worth the effort.”

  “Funny, that’s how I feel about you.”

  Katie turned to find a twinkle in his eye. “Luke.”

  He grinned. “C’mon. Let’s get our butts to the house before the shower starts without us.”

  “You really didn’t have to come.”

  “Drea insisted, and who am I to argue with my future sister?”

  “Riiiight.”

  She wouldn’t tell him she was glad he’d come to the rescue, that she had been sluggish lately and she hoped once they settled their “marriage” problem, her tummy aches would disappear.

  * * *

  Luke had driven with extra caution while Katie sat in the back seat of his roomy SUV with the double-tiered cake beside her. And now, thanks to Luke carefully carrying it inside, the cake sat on the kitchen counter, ready to be revealed once the shower began.

  As Katie put up snow-white paper wedding bells along the perimeter of the spacious patio overhang, Luke held the ladder for her, watching her carefully. “You sure you don’t want me to do that?” he asked her, for the second time.

  “Not at all. These have to be spaced just right and hung a certain way.”

  “And a mere man can’t figure it out?”

  She laughed. She was having fun decorating for her best friend’s shower and she didn’t want anyone to take the joy away. “I think not.”

  “That’s okay, I’m enjoying the view from down here anyway.”

  Katie immediately grabbed at the back of her dress, making sure she was well covered. The dress was tight enough to cling to her legs. But she noticed it was fitting a little more snugly around her waist than she’d remembered. She had to stop eating her own cupcakes. “You can’t see anything, Luke, so stop teasing.”

  “Everything I do see, I like.”

  She gave him a look. “Shh.”

  “I meant the decorations are looking real pretty. Everyone’s doing a great job.”

  She shook her head at him. He was so full of it. But in a sweet way that made her...nutty.

  From her vantage point on the ladder, everyone was pitching in and doing a great job. Risk and April were arranging the table flowers. April was an expert at staging homes so her expertise was spot on. The next home she would permanently stage would be at Canyon Lake Lodge, the old manor that Risk had bought for them to live in once they renovated it. The two were going to run the lodge together.

  Drea and Mason were locked in an embrace watching the lily pads they’d set afloat in the pool drift off. Their happiness was contagious. Katie could be happy for them, and for this day. It was a dream come true for Drea, who’d been through so much in the past.

  “Okay,” Katie said, draping the last of the wedding bells. “I think I’m done.”

  She lowered herself down from the ladder and was hit with a bout of dizziness. Her head swam for a moment and Luke was right there, taking her hands, staring i
nto her eyes. “Katie?”

  “Whoa,” she said. “That was weird.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing.” She gave her head a gentle shake. “I think I came down the ladder too fast. Got a little light-headed. I’m fine now.”

  He stepped closer to her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” she said automatically. She stepped back from him, breaking their connection. She didn’t want him worrying over her. She didn’t want to see concern on his face or hear it in his voice. It was all too confusing.

  Lottie approached with a gracious smile. “Katie, the cake is amazing. I can’t wait for the guests to see it. We’ll bring it out soon to show off your beautiful work.”

  “Thanks, Lottie. I’m—”

  “She worked hard on it, Aunt Lottie.” There was possessive pride in Luke’s voice that had Lottie darting inquisitive glances between them.

  “I can see that.”

  “It was a labor of love,” Katie said.

  Lottie patted her hand. “I bet you have a lot of love to give, Katie.”

  “I’m sort of married, uh...” She hesitated when Luke’s eyes went shockingly wide. “To my job. I mean, right now I’m concentrating on the bakery. I haven’t had time for anything else,” she said quietly.

  “Well, when you find the right one, you’ll know it. There’s no rush.”

  Katie nodded. “I agree. No rush at all.”

  Drew walked up and smiled at everyone. “Katie, I just saw the cake. You’ve outdone yourself.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I bet it tastes as good as it looks.”

  “Hope so.”

  “Drew’s got a sweet tooth,” Luke said good-naturedly. “I bet you enjoyed Aunt Lottie’s cobbler the other day, too. Did you leave any crumbs for Drea?”

  Drew’s brows furrowed. “Cobbler? If you mean the day I stopped by to see you, Luke, I left your place before getting a chance to dig in.”

  “But she brought you some that day, didn’t you, Aunt Lottie?”

  Luke’s aunt bit her lip and shook her head. “No, I never made it over.”

  She didn’t give Drew a glance, and her expression was tight. After that, Lottie excused herself to speak with the caterer and Drew walked off in the other direction. Katie thought for sure something was up between the two of them.

  She looked at the string and tape and scissors she’d left lying around. “Okay, well, I’d better clean up my mess. The guests will be arriving soon.”

  “I’ll help,” Luke said.

  Katie couldn’t shake the guy. He turned up beside her at every turn. It made mush of her nerves because she was getting used to him being around. She scooped up her mess before Luke could grab anything. “I’ve got this,” she said. “But Mason might need your help. You should check with him.”

  “In other words, you want me to get lost.”

  She smiled.

  And Luke took the hint. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Okay,” she said brightly and once he walked off, Katie entered the house and took a seat in the kitchen. Her tummy was still a bit unsettled and her energy was sapped.

  She couldn’t wait for the shower to begin and end. All she could think about was getting back into bed and sleeping.

  * * *

  Katie squinted into the bright May sunshine as she stepped out into the Boones’ beautifully groomed backyard that they’d spent hours decorating. Everything had turned out perfectly. Drea’s dream of true love and marriage was coming true.

  The guests filed in as music played over hidden speakers. She watched as groups mingled and enjoyed appetizers and drank wine. Some of the girls in attendance were her friends, too, many of them either married, engaged or escorted by a boyfriend. She sighed and put on a happy face to mingle as well and catch up on their news.

  Once the luncheon was served, everyone took their seats. Katie sat at the Boone table. Everyone was paired off with their counterparts, leaving her sitting next to Luke. Funny how it always worked out that way.

  He seemed perfectly content with the arrangements and all she could do was smile and have a good time, for Drea’s sake. Most of the guests played a silly game of who knew the bride and groom the best, and Katie ended up winning the bride half of the game.

  Drea and Mason opened their gifts, and then Katie was asked to cut their cake, but not before a dozen pictures were taken of it. Katie was showered with compliments, which gave her spirit a lift. She found herself smiling and laughing a lot throughout the day.

  “I’m glad to see you so happy,” Luke whispered in her ear as they sipped coffee.

  “I’m happy for Drea.”

  “Me, too. For Mason. The guy’s gaga over his fiancée.”

  “As well he should be. Drea is awesome.”

  “So are—”

  She put a finger to his lips to quiet him, and then realized what she’d done and quickly removed it, but not before a few heads turned her way. Oh God, had they seen her trying to silence his compliment?

  Luke didn’t let it faze him. He bit into a forkful of cake. “This is delicious.”

  She shot him a warning look, but that never seemed to work with him. “Thanks.”

  As the shower was winding down, Katie decided to remove herself from his presence. “Excuse me. I’m needed in the kitchen, and no, I don’t need any help.”

  She escaped him and entered the kitchen, offering to help, but Lottie shoed her away. “You’ve done enough. The staff will take care of cleanup. Honestly, I think that’s the best marble cake I’ve ever eaten. It’s beautiful on the inside and out. You’re a genius.”

  Drew walked into the kitchen and added, “That you are, Katie girl. I had seconds and would go back for thirds if I was twenty years younger.”

  Lottie feigned a smile and turned her back on him.

  “Thank you both,” Katie said. “Lottie, if you really don’t need my help, I’ll go outside and talk to Drea.”

  “Good idea,” Lottie said. “Go have fun. I’ll be out in a second.”

  * * *

  Lottie watched Katie leave and then turned to Drew. “Honestly, I don’t need any help here. You should go back outside, too.”

  “Kicking me out?” His mouth quirked up.

  Lottie sighed. “No, you can stay or you can go. Do whatever you want, Drew.”

  Drew frowned. “Lottie, what the hell is wrong with you? You haven’t spoken to me all day. Did I do something wrong, again?”

  He was annoyed at her? Did he think she was a fool? The image of Drew kissing that woman on his porch flashed in her mind and anger roiled in her stomach. It was time to confront him. There was no other way. “Not at all. I mean, kissing a woman behind my back isn’t wrong. Not if you read from the book of Drew MacDonald.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I saw you, Drew. The other day, I was bringing you a dish of cobbler and I... I saw a woman coming out of your house. You two were very cozy. I guess I’ve been mistaken about the two of us. There is no us.”

  Drew’s green eyes sparked and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “There is no us?” He took her hand and tugged her close. “Lady, you have no idea.”

  Then he cupped her face in his hands and laid a kiss on her lips. Her heart fluttered and her mind dizzied as delicious sensations sped through her system. She kissed him back, trying to keep pace with his passion, his ardor.

  She couldn’t seem to get enough of him, and he must’ve been feeling the same way. He pulled her into his arms and she went willingly. His kisses went deeper, longer and nothing, nothing she’d experienced in this world had ever felt better. “Drew,” she murmured.

  He kissed her again, the melding of their mouths seamless and perfect.

  Then he broke away and her eyes popped open. She star
ed at him and he said with a rasp, “Now, tell me there is no us.”

  “But the woman?”

  “I’m her AA sponsor and she needed a one-on-one talk. Whatever you saw was gratitude. She kissed me and I set her straight right after that. My goodness, Lottie, she’s half my age.”

  “So, you’re not—”

  “After the way we just kissed, you have to ask?”

  Then he turned his back on her and walked outside. She touched a finger to her mouth, his taste still tingling on her lips.

  * * *

  On the drive home after the shower, Luke kept glancing at Katie. She sat in the passenger seat of his car, struggling to keep her eyes open as she laid her head against the headrest. Snuggled into her jacket, she looked warm and cozy and so peaceful, her body sinking into the contours of the seat.

  He tried not to utter a sound as he drove along the quiet road, and before too long, she fell asleep. Luke drove on, feeling the rightness of this moment in his bones. He and Katie. There was no other woman in the world for him and as each day passed, the feeling grew stronger and stronger.

  While she was hoping for a quick divorce, he was stalling...perhaps wrongfully so, but all those years while he was in Afghanistan serving his country, he’d felt hollow and empty inside. It was the worst feeling in the world, that aloneness, that feeling that aside from his brothers, there was no one waiting for him back home. Now, he had what he’d always wanted. It would be hard giving it up.

  He could tell she was bone tired by the way she was huddled between the seat and the window, her breaths as noisy as they were weary.

  Katie was a force, a dynamo in a very understated way. She’d made Katie’s Kupcakes a success. And all the while, she’d continued supporting Red Barrel, donating her time and energy to neglected and abandoned horses. She was a great friend, a wonderful daughter and an ultra-loyal sister.

  Luke sighed. He wanted to reach out and hold her hand, but that might wake her. That might put her on alert and it was the last thing he wanted, to make her wary, to have her erect walls that would keep him out. No, he was content to have her near him, to watch her sleep. Too soon, he would have to part ways with her.